Project Descriptions (artist statements)

Vietnam Projects

New Women Entrepreneurs

(Micro Loans for Women)

 

Larry was introduced to a small micro finance program ( aka micro loan or micro credit), in late 2007. It was titled CSOD or Center for Social Organization and Development that was started a few years earlier by a Ha Noi woman who had worked for a large program of this sort in the past. Photographing women in Vinh Phuc Province involved in this program was very rewarding. The photographs Larry has made were intended to show the human individualities of the women, their families, and explore businesses and village surroundings.

The images are licensed for free to NGPs around the world who want to use them to publicize the value of micro finance all over the world. The images are also combined with Larry's video interviews and other materials to act as an advocate for micro finance.

While the phoographs seem within the realm of documentary Larry feels they are really personal commentary. He is passionate about the Vinh Phuc women and their accomlishments so is way too biased for his images to be objective documentary. Working with the CSOD officials and the women and their families has also led to personal discovery for the artist. He has learned more about finding the central soul of people and situations in front of his camera and that experience is a peek into the soukl of the cameraholder has well.

New Women Entreprenuers has finished still shooting as of early 2010. It is now being organized for distribution on new media, radio, TV. and in formal presentations to service organizations around the world.

The CSOD in Ha Noi is now in a campaign to raise at least $100,000 US to grow the niumber of women its finance arm can hadle from the current 900 borrowers to 3000 women in 5 years. (Three thousand is the number that allows micro finance institutions to become self sustaining - they can operate and grom without further infusions of money from lenders or donors outside the institution. Currently the drive to reach this goal has started with the Elbook ROatary Club making a five year $7500 total committment and another grant recently oprovided by VNHELP in Milpitas, CA. www.vnhelp.org

VNHELP is currently the U.S. Fiscal agent for CSOD handling and bookeeping donations and loans to the CSOD program in Vietnam. Persons interested in making a loan or donation can contact VNHELP.

 

New Women Entrepreneurs has been made possible with financial assistance from The Underwood Foundation via an Anonymous Donor, The Underwood Foundation - Direct Grants, Dr. Thom R. Feroah - Individual Grant.